The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas

In this high-energy talk, Frans Johansson illustrates how relentless trial-and-error — coming up with an idea, executing it on a small scale, and then refining it – is THE distinguishing characteristic of the greatest artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs.

Why? Because humans are not very good at predicting which ideas are going to be a success. Thus, nearly every major breakthrough innovation has been preceded by a string of failed or misguided executions. So, as Frans says quoting Churchill, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

Learning points

• All innovative ideas appear obvious after the fact: Come up with something groundbreaking by combining ideas
• Groundbreaking innovators generate and execute far more ideas: Innovators fail more than non innovators
• The purpose of a strategy is to convince yourself it works
• You’ve got to get something done. Just do it. Just start.
• Focus on the smallest executable step and you’ll unlock a plethora of ideas